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REFACE. 



The nature of the game of Croquet is sucli 
that it has been exceedingly difficult to establish 
any one code of rules that could be adopted as 
standard authority. The one great obstacle to 
the adoption of National Rules is found in the 
fact, that Croquet is so much a social, home game 
that Croquet clubs and regular organizations do 
not flourish to any considerable extent, through- 
out the country, and hence it is difficult to call a 
national convention that would represent the 
most intelligent and executive class of Croquet- 
players. But in order to have peace and har- 
mony on any Croquet ground, some authority must 
be adopted as governing the play on that ground. 
What that authority shall be, of course, depends 
upon tjie decision of the majority of the players 
occupying or owning the ground, and will be in 



PREFACE. 



accordance with their preference for, or opposi- 
tion to, some of the prominent points advocated 
by the several leading authorities. 

In our former editions we have assumed no 
authority in the matter, but have endeavored to 
place the different practices in a just light, merely 
expressing our preferences regarding certain 
practices in contested points, waiting patiently 
for the coming of a National Croquet Congress. 
As this much desired object seems to be as far 
distant as ever, we have thought proper to put 
this edition more in the form of authority for the 
better guidance and convenience of such players 
as choose to adopt this manual as their guide. 
We have not intended to ignore the opinions of 
other competent writers on the subject, in this 
edition, more than formerly, bijt have put our 
arguments and explanations considerably in the 
form of an appendix, rather than to give them 
place among the rules of the game. 

We have, in former editions, advocated several 
practices that at the time were met by some op- 
position, and hardly considered orthodox; but 
we believe we have in no case found it either 
necessary or desirable to retract any ^opinion 



PEEFACE. 



given in support of any practices regarding which 
we took original ground, or in reference to which 
there existed a great difference of opinion among 
the commonly received authorities. On the other 
hand, we have refrained from advancing some 
ideas that might seem too radical. 

On Loose Croquet^ the flinch and double points, 
we have found no occasion to change the rules 
as established in our last edition, believing them 
to be sustained by the great majority of expert 
Croquet players in this country. 

In this edition we take another step, and very 
materially simplify the game by abolishing the 
whole idea of a Booby. The argument for this 
may be found in the Appendix. 

Many persons object to the multiplication of 
the rules of the game, claiming that they render 
it too complicated. We believe that a multipli- 
cation of rules to an extent necessary to settle 
every possible dispute on vital questions, tends 
to simplify rather than complicate a game ; and 
while we have endeavored to adopt such prac- 
tices as combine to constitute a systematic game 
with the least possible number of arbitrary re- 
quirements, we have also desired to give a suffi- 



PREFACE. 



cient number of rules on each subject to leave no 
chance for doubt. 

There ■will necessarily arise some differences of 
opinion on some points ; but we believe that in 
every case, if the general principles are followed 
out, a just decision will be arrived at. 

The Croquet problems, as we have presented 
them, are of great advantage to learners, espe- 
cially such as have not the advantage of personal 
instruction from an expert player. 

Any suggestions from experienced players will 
be thankfully received and carefully considered 
by the author, if addressed to the publishers of 
this book, 




ET. 



Croquet has been for several years one of the 
most popular pastimes in England, and is now 
very justly receiving a large and rapidly increasing 
share of attention in this country. It is unmis- 
takably a game of science, in which the brain, as 
well as the muscles and nerves, has an essential 
part to perform, — thus very closely resembling 
billiards, to which game it is in some respects 
superior, in that it is a more social game, and 
gives an opportunity for healthful open air exercise. 

Unlike most of out-of-door sports, it does not 
require the possession of great strength or powers 
of endurance, or severe muscular exertion on the 
part of the player. Excellence in it is almost 
equally attainable to the weekly and delicate as 
to the healthy and robust. Old and young meet 
on its arena on more nearly equal terms than in 
any other known game of skill. A ' ' correct eye, " 
steady hands and nerves, and good judgment, are 
the essential qualifications for a good player, and 
the possession of these advantages, of course, is 



10 CROQUET. 



not dependent upon the age, sex, or condition 
of the person. 

And it may perhaps be considered as the chief 
excellence of this game that it gives this oppor- 
tunity, which very few other games, combining 
scientific play and physical exercise, afford for 
persons of the opposite sexes and disparity of age 
to join in one common amusement. It should be 
a matter of congratulation to all te see the rapidly 
increasing popularity of any healthful open air 
sport in this country. 

We are a too laborious people, giving too much, 
of our time to wearying cares, and too little to 
that relaxation and recreation without which there 
can be no real physical, mental, or indeed, moral 
health. Let us, then, remedy this ; let us hail and 
give countenance to any and all harmless, health- 
giving games, taking care only that the other 
extreme is not approached, remembering that — 
" All work and no joy 
Makes Jack a dull boy." 

We predict for Croquet a success wider in this 
than it has reached in any other country. Y/hen 
we work or fight, we work and fight harder than 
any other people, and we should be as enthusi- 
astic in our play. 

In preparing this Manual of Croquet we have 



CROQUET. 11 



endeavored to explain the general principles of 
the game, and to present a code of rules simple, 
concise, and shorn as far as possible of techni- 
calities of expression, but comprehensive enough 
to include all points necessary to a thorough 
understanding of the game. 

No two authors that we have read agree upon 
all, and nearly every one differs very widely from 
every other upon some points of the subject. 
There is no really original treatise upon the game 
extant, — -its origin and originator are alike un- 
known. No one can refer to an undoubted, es- 
tablished authority, and hence there can be no 
binding, authoritative laws to which all players 
shall be amenable, and, therefore, it only remains 
for each club or party to accept some established 
code of rules which shall be acknowledged as un- 
doubted authority to themselves. In the vocabu- 
lary are given all the terms necessary to be used 
"for convenience in playing, with their definitions. 
Many other terms and names are used by other 
writers and players to designate the various oper- 
ations, movements and .condition of the game, 
but we do not consider them sufficiently useful or 
well established to merit a place in this Manual, 
and would much sooner reduce than enlarge the 
already extended vocabulary of the game. 



MATERIALS OF THE GAME. 



A COMPLETE set of Croquet consists of two 
posts, ten iron bridges, and four, six, or eight 
each, balls and mallets. 

The sets as heretofore mostly offered in the 
market have had eight balls and eight mallets ; 
but, as an eight-handed game is much less inter- 
esting than with fewer players, it is oftentimes 
very convenient to have the implements limited 
to six, and thus any feeling of neglect, by any 
person, at being left out, is avoided. 

Any expert Croquet player would prefer to be 
a spectator rather than participate in a game of 
more than six players, while, for really scientific 
playing, nothing is equal to a well-matched four- 
handed game. 

The balls should be about ten inches in cir- 
cumference, perfectly spherical, and should weigh 
about eight ounces. They should be designated 
by difierent colors, either by painting the entire 
surface of the ball, or by a stripe of the color 
merely. But the first method is much to be pre- 
ferred, as a ball needs all the protection it can 
have to preserve it from the effects of the weather, 
and for this purpose nothing is better than good 



MALLET. 13 




oil paint and varnish. There is a universal pre- 
disposition towards large balls by all novices in 
the game ; but experience will invariably give the 
preference to a ball not more than ten and one- 
half inches in circumference, if of rock maple or 
birch, and if of boxwood, not more than ten 
inches, (See Appendix, A.) 

The mallet-head should be about 2| inches in 
diameter and 4;^ inches long, shaped somewhat 
like the accompanying cuts ; and the handle 33 
inches long, if of an inch in di- ^ 
ameter in the largest part, and f 
of an inch in the smallest. It is 
customary to paint some portion 
of the mallets to correspond to 
the colors on the balls. This is an 
advantage in distinguishing the dif- 
ferent players ; but some prefer an 
assorted set of mallets of various 
sizes, weights and , lengths, with- 
out paint, allowing the players to 
select such as they like best — and 
perhaps there is no objection to 
this. A feeble or delicate person 
may not be able to play as well 
with a mallet of the standard size as his oppo- 
nent, and thus will be upon an unequal footing with 




14 



CROQUET. 



him at the outset ; -while, if each selects such as 
is suitable to his or her condition, all will be sat- 
isfactorily equijjped, and, of course, upon equal 
terms as far as the implements are concerned. 
For balls and mallet-heads good rock maple is the 
most desirable of all our native woods, and hickory 
is the best for mallet-handles. Boxwood is very 
good for mallet-heads, but is perhaps too heavy 
for balls. Boxwood mallet-heads and good rock 
maple balls, well painted, make an elegant and 
superior set, and preferable to a complete box- 
wood set ; while rosewood and lignum-vitas balls 
are little better than iron, and entirely unfit to use. 
The bridges should be made of iron wire about 
-i\ of an inch in diameter, in form like an ox-bow. 
The width of the bridge 
should be equal to the cir- 
cumference of the ball, and 
the hight such that when 
firmly set it will stand out of 
the ground a distance equal 
I to its width. They should 
.i be uniformed in color. White 
^is best, as it is more easily 




seen, and contrasts more 
pleasingly with the green 



I^OSTS. 15 



of the turf. Some have adopted the practice of 
painting them of different colors, but the reason 
assigned seems not to be a good one, and expe- 
rience almost unanimously pronounces in favor of 
a uniform light color. (See Appendix, B.) 

The posts should be about 28 inches long, Ij 
inches in diameter in the largest part, and pointed 
so as to be driven into the ground. 
They should have rings painted on 
them corresponding to the colors 
of the balls, and of such width that 
the bottom ring will be as high from 
the ground as the top of the bridges. 
Thus supposing the post to be 28 
inches long, commencing at the top, 
make each ring IJ inches wide. 
This will occupy 10 inches, and 
hence allow the posts to be driven 
into the ground 8 inches, and still 
have the lowest color so high from the turf that 
it can be easily seen from any portion of the 
ground. The order of the colors on the post is 
not essential so long as. the light and dark colors 
alternate ; but the two uppermost colors belong 
to the chiefs of the two sides, and therefore most 
properly should be black and white, as those are 
the best representatives of dark and light colors. 




16 CROQUET. 



The exact arrangement of the succeeding colors 
is immaterial, but the following is very good, 
commencing at the top : — 

1st. Black. 5th. Brown. 

2d. White. 6th. Eed. 

3d. Blue. 7th. Green. 

4th. Yellow. • 8th. Pink. 

As the order of the colors on the jDOsts governs 
that of the play, and since those on each side play 
alternately, it follows that in a game of eight the 
dark balls — black, blue, brown and green — are 
matched against the light ones — white, yellow, 
red and ]Dink. (See Appendix, C.) 



THE GROUND. 



In contemplating the preparation of a Croquet 
ground, the first question that occurs, is, how much 
and what kind of ground is necessary? The size 
of the ground, as well as the distance between 
the bridges, is governed very much by the taste 
and accommodation of the owner. 



" . ' 1 


THE GROUND. 


17 


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r~ &--V /• -^i 


Ci 






\ \ \ / / / 


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ELLIPTIdAL CROQUET GROUND. Seb Pios 18. 
2 


le--v. "^ 





18 CROQUET. 



A model Croquet ground has been defined as 
an elliptical field, one hundred feet long and sixty 
feet wide, with the bridges from nine to twelve 
feet apart ; but persons possessed of only a limited 
plot of ground need not conclude that the above di- 
mensions are absolutely necessary ; for an equally 
interesting game may be played on ground not 
more than sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, 
with the bridges from six to eight feet apart. 
The bounds may be imaginary lines defined by 
corner bounds, or they may be walks or other 
natural bounds suggested by the nature of the 
ground ; or, if a plot is prepared expressly for the 
purpose, a ditch about eight inches wide and six 
inches deep well turfed, is probably the best 
bound that can be made. 

The following explanation of the diagram on 
the preceding page will illustrate a simple method 
of laying out an Elliptical Croquet Ground : — 

Having decided upon the extreme length and 
breadth available for the ground, drive a stake at 
A and another at B. Now draw the line A B, 
and by measurement find the center G, and draw 
the line C D as nearly square with A B as pos- 
sible by " guess." Then with a line attached to 
B measure the distance B C, and also B D, and 
if the two are equal, the line C D is square with 



THE GROUND. 19 



A B. If not equal, make them eo by lengthen- 
ing one and shortening the other. Having, then, 
the line A B, and the stake"* C D, take a line and 
measure the length B Gr, (i. e., one-half A B,) 
and with one end at C, bring the other end to the 
line A B at F, and drive a stake ; also, do the 
same at E. Now take a line and attach one end 
to F, carry it round C and fasten the other end 
to E. Then, having pulled the line off the stake 
C, with a pointed stick or wire, follow round inside 
the line EOF, keeping the line constantly tight, 
and the trace made by the wire will form a perfect 
ellipse. 

If now the turf be removed about eight inches 
wide around this line, and a slight ditch made 
and the turf replaced, the ditch thus made will 
form the most convenient boundary that can be 
devised for a Croquet ground. 

A smooth, closely cut turf is always to be 
chosen, and is improved by a thorough rolling 
with a very heavy roller ; or, if that is not avail- 
able, a few hours' work with a heavy mall will 
bring the ground into very good condition. Next 
to havmg the turf smooth, the most important 
point is to have the ground level ; and yet a very 
good game can be played on an uneven or slop- 
ing ground, if, in making the strokes and deter- 



20 



CROQUET. 



mining the necessary force and direction, a proper 
calculation is made with reference to the condition 
of the surface over which the ball is to pass. It, 
in fact, shows more skill to play a good game 
upon a poor ground than upon a perfect one. 




GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME, 



Two players being designated captains or chiefs, 
one for each side, sides are chosen in the jisual 



NUMBER OF PLAYERS. 21 

manner. The privilege of first choice of players 
is very conveniently decided between the chiefs 
by each placing his ball under the first bridge 
and striking for the starting-post ; the one who 
thus drives his ball nearest the post gaining the 
first choice. 

The chief who has the first choice takes the 
ball corresponding in color with the top of the 
post, and the other chief the next ball according 
to the order of the colors on the posts, while the 
remaining balls are given to the other players in 
the order in which they are chosen. (See Ap- 
pendix, D.) 

Eight person^ may play, but a game of foui* or 
six is the most interesting. If four or more play, 
each player uses but one ball ; but if only two 
play, the game is improved by each player taking 
two balls and playing them alternately as usu^l. 
If there be an odd number of players— either 
three, five or seven — the players play against 
each other individually, or one person takes two 
balls and plays each in its proper turn. 

Assuming that each player has a ball and a 
mallet, that the bridges are arranged in either of 
the three positions given in diagrams Nos. 1, 2 
and 3, we now come to the mode of playing the 
game. The object is to drive the balls through 



22 CROQUET. 



all the bridges, in the direction indicated by the 
dotted lines on the diagrams, and to strike the 
two posts. The side all of whose members suc- 
ceed in performing this feat first, wins the game. 
Now although this is the chief object of the game, 
yet the act from which it derives its title— to wit, 
" Croquet" — is of mmch greater importance than 
would at first be imagined. If a player hit with 
his ball any of the others, he is allowed to place 
his own against the ball he has struck, and setting 
his foot upon his own ball, he hits it with the 
mallet, and the force of the blow drives off the 
other ball while the playing ball remains station- 
ary. As a player is allowed to croquet either 
friend or foe, it is evident that he can do a great 
deal of damage or service, according to his incli- 
nation, since he is at liberty to drive the ball in 
any direction he pleases. 

The Roquet-Croquet is an operation still more 
interesting than the Croquet as it is susceptible of 
much greater skill in its execution. This is 
accomplished the same as the Croquet, except 
that instead of holding one ball firmly by plac- 
ing the foot upon it, both balls are left free to 
be driven together by the blow of the mallet. 
By practice and a skillful placing of the balls 
a stroKe may be made that will cause the balls 



ROQUET-CROQUET. 



to diverge in any forward directions tlie player 
may desire. 

In commencing a game, the first chief places his 
ball one -third the distance from the starting-post 
to the first bridge, and endeavors by striking it 
with the end of his mallet's head, to drive it 
through the first bridge. If he succeeds, he con- 
tinues his turn and atteiiipts to send the ball 
through the second bridge, and then through the 
third, for driving a ball through a bridge, or 
hitting another ball, generally imparts the privi- 
lege of an additional stroke. 

When one ball driven by a blow of the mallet 
hits another, it is said to make roquet on that ball. 

When the first player who should be black, has 
missed, white goes on, and the other j)layers fol- 
low in the order of the colors on the posts, and 
very soon comes the opportunity to use the great 
advantages of the Croquet and Koquet-Croquet. 
Often when a player has his ball in a good posi- 
tion in front of a bridge, another will hit it, and 
then by Croquet or Roquet-Croquet drive it to 
the other end of the ground, compelling it per- 
haps to take two or three turns before it can re- 
gain its former position. Occasionally two or 
three balls lie close together, and one is struck by 
a ball which was some distance off". The player 



24 CBOQUET. 



is now allowed to place his ball by the side of the 
one it has struck, thus gaining position near the 
bthers, so that after croqueting it he is almost sure 
of hitting thd others. 

As an exatnple of the use of the Roquet- Cro- 
quet, we will take diagrain No. 1, and suppose 
that white plays with success through the first two 
bridges, and that black lies somewhere beyond 
the second bridge. Now if there was no other 
ball near, it would be impossible for white to con- 
tinue to play and pass through the third bridge, 
because it will require one stroke to get in position 
for that bridge; but if white Can roquet black, 
then she can roquet- croquet with black up in front 
of the third bridge, and then, as the roquet gives 
another stroke, play through the third bridge and 
perhaps through the fourth and fifth. If below 
the fifth she should find, say the brown ball, to 
roquet-croquet with, it would be possible to get in 
front of No, 6, and then down to the turning-post 
and hitting that return up through No. 6. Here 
the brown ball may again be roqueted, and then 
roquet-croqueted into position for No. 8, and so 
on. This of course could only happen if white 
was an extra player and the other balls were in 
very favorable positions, but it serves as an illus- 
tration of the use of this very valuable stroke. 



A ROVER. 25 



The player wlio reaches the turning-post first, has 
great advantages for a time, for as soon as he 
touches it, he commences his return journey, and 
meeting the other players on their way to the 
farthest point of their journey, he is able to cro- 
quet them and considerably impede their progress. 

When a player has run all the bridges he be- 
comes, what is called in the technical language 
of Croquet, a Rover. This name and distinction 
originated when the rules of the game were con- 
siderably difierent from those commonly accepted 
at the present time, and when certain extra privi- 
leges were granted to the rover, but now it signi- 
fies nothing except that such a player has run all 
the bridges and has not struch out. 

Any player can at any time assume the charac- 
ter of a Rover for any convenient length of time, 
but such play is not generally judicious or advisa- 
ble except in case of an expert player. 

The name Rover is always confined to such 
players as have run all their bridges. It is obvi- 
ous that an expert Rover can prove of immense 
advantage to his side, and should generally avoid 
hitting the starting-post till all on his side have 
run the last bridge. 

The excitement towards the end of the game, 
often becomes intense, and each stroke is watched 



26 CROQUET. 



■with the keenest niterest. Gradually, one by one, 
the players hit the post, until perhaps only two 
remain, and now occurs an opportunity for skillful 
play. The object of both is first to hit the post, 
and failing in that, to keep as far off his adver- 
sary as he can. Each endeavors, at the same 
time drawing nearer to the great object in view, 
to keep the post between his and the other ball. 
At length one plays at the post, misses it, and 
sends his ball near his adversary, who first hits it, 
next croquets it away, and then strikes the post, 
and wins the victory. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE BRIDGES. 



Diagram No. 1. 

This arrangement of the bridges, which is the 
simplest of the three we have drawn, is the one 
which we recommend for all eight-handed games, 
or for beginners. 

The figures marked on this diagram are ii?' 
tended merely to furnish a relative scale of 
distances. 








*:iQ. 



^AK^-ma\?'!.V^. 







^(iOT. 



28 . CROQUET. 



Thus witli these distances the posts are 53 feet 
apart, which is, perhaps, more than is desirable, 
iihless the ground is very perfect, or the players 
expertSi 

The course of the ball is indicated by the dotted 
lines, and the arrows show the direction in which 
the balls proceed on the round. It will be ob- 
served that bridge No. 3 is to the left of No. 2. 
As represented in this diagram, bridges 3 and 10 
are set a little in advance of 2, and 6 a little in 
advance of o and 8. Some players prefer that 
10, 2 and 3 should be in a straight line, and the 
same with 8, 6 and 5. We prefer to have 3 and 
10 enough in advance of 2 to make it just pos- 
sible for an expert by a very superior stroke to 
run No. 2 and get position for No. 3 at one blow, 
and the same with 5, 6 and 8. In short, we would 
have the arrangement such that it is not absolutely 
impossible for a player to make the grand round 
in one tour without the aid of the rot[uet. This, 
of course, would very rarely be accomplished — 
never, except by extraordinarily skillful play — ^yet 
it should be made possible, but very difficult. 



DiagraixL No. S. 
In this the same number of bridges are used, 
as in the first diagram; but the bridges numbered 






7 



5 







\y 



s- 



A 



8 



J-' 



-jr> 






iii 






30 CROQUET. 



respectively 4 and 9, instead of being placed 
parallel to the others, are now at right angles to 
them ; thus in playing from 3 to 4, the ball must 
keep to the left of 4, and then pass through it, 
from the outside of the game ; a much more diffi- 
cult arrangement than the first, and somewhat 
more difficult than the third, although at first 
sight it may not appear so. 



IDiagi*aiXL No. 3. 
In this, the third diagram, it will be seen that 
the two center side bridf^-es are done away with, 
and that one is placed in the center of the ground 
instead; but although in the play we now rec^uire 
one bridge less than in the former diagram, yet the 
player will have to pass through the same number 
of bridges as before, since he travels twice through 
the bridge in the center, once on his way to the 
turning-post, and once on his return. This is the 
best arrangement of bridges for afourhanded game. 
As the player's knowledge of Croquet increases, 
many other positions will suggest themselves ; but 
those we have presented are the simplest, and are 
the diagrams in general use at the present time. 
Some authors recommend the invariable use of 
diagram No. 1, as being sufficiently difficult, es- 
pecially when bridges 10, 2, and 3 are' on a line. 





< 








•\'®«\>^^ 


.^^^X 




1 




J 


j 

i 






< 






CO 

6 


< 

H 


3 .^' \ 


V 3 


"^ 


fl 


-^- — < — ^!zf-^" '^ — ^ 








\^C\. 







The Star Diagram for a Croquet Ground. 

The accompanying new Diagram for setting the Bridges, devised by Prof. 
Rover, is especially applicable where the available ground is short and broad, 
because, as Bridges 2 and 6 are carried nearer together, the necessary distance 
between Posts is shortened by so much. The placing of 4 so much out of line 
with 3 and 5 that the three can not be run at one stroke, accomplishes the 
same result as is derived in the nine Bridge arrangement, and the disagreea- 
ble concentration of fighting about the one central Bridge, which is the only 
objection to the nine Bridge arrangement, is avoided in this. The relative 
distances and proportions may be varied to accommodate each ground. 
Please notice that in this, as in all arrangements of Bridges, the playing is to 
the l^t, as it is in all games, i.e. with the sun; thus after making Bridge 2, 
play to the left for Bridge 3, as indicated by the arrows and not to the right 
towards Bridge E. 



WliNINSS POST. 



(k 



rK- 



frt ,/ 







SrARTINE3. POST. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18r4, by Milton Bradley, in tlie office of 
the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



RULES OF THE GAME. 



Section. I. 



STKIKING THE BALL. 

1. At the commencement of tlie game the ball 
should be placed on a line drawn from the start- 
ing-post to the center of the first bridge, and at a 
distance from the starting-post, equal to one-third 
the distance from the post to the bridge. 

Note. — The rule usually given, i. e., to place the ball 
a mallet's length from the post is very well for a large 
ground where the distance from post to bridge is nine 
or ten feet, but for a small ground it brings the ball too 
near- the first bridge. (For Booby, see Appendix, K.) 

2. The ball must he struck and not pushed — a 
push never being allowable under any circum- 
stances; and the blow must be given with the 
face — never with the side — of the mallet head. 

Note. — A ball can never get into such a position on 
a croquet-ground that it cannot be struck in some 
direction, and if it is in a bad position it is either the 
fault or the misfortune of the player owning the ball 
which he is not to be allowed to rectify by a push, 
for that would sometimes be rewarding bad play. 
(See Appendix, L.) 

3. Whenever the mallet hits the ball, if it moves 
it however slightly, it must be considered a stroke. 

4. The player may if he wholly miss his ball, 
strike at it again. 



ORDER OF PLAYING. 35 

5. If on commencing a tour of play, the play- 
ing ball is in contact with another ball, the player 
has the same privileges of his stroke, and subse- 
quent play, exactly as he would have had if 
the balls had been separated one-half inch or 
more. 

6. The game is opened by the chief holding 
the ball corresponding in color with the top of 
the post, and the players on the two sides follow 
alternately according to the order of the colors on 
the posts. (See Appendix, D.) 

7. If any ball is played out of its proper turn 
and discovered before the play of another ball has 
commenced, the misplayed ball may be returned 
to its original place, or permitted to remain in 
that to which it has rolled, at the option of the 
chief of the opposing side. But if the mistake is 
discovered before the player has finished his turn 
and the misplay be allowed, the misplayer shall 
be permitted to finish his turn. If the chief does 
not permit the misplay, the misplayed ball shall 
be returned to its original place, and any dam- 
ages sustained or advantages gained by either 
side shall be canceled. If the misplay is not dis- 
covered before the play of another ball com- 
mences, or is allowed, the misplayer cannot use 
his next turn as he has anticipated it. 



36 CROQUET. 



8. If a player use a wrong ball, all the balls 
moved by such play must be returned to their 
former position, and the misplayer lose his turn. 



Section II. 
RUNNING A BRIDGE. 

1. The bridges must be passed through in their 
regular order in the direction of the course. 
(This is called running a bridge.) 

Note. — A ball runs a bridge when it passes through 
it in order and course, by a direct blow, by roquet, 
roquet-croquet, croquet or concussion. Hence, for a 
player to drive his ball through a bridge out of its 
regular order, or from the wrong side counts no more 
than to pass over any other part of the field. 

2. A player continues to play as long as he 

makes a point in the game. 

Note. — Making a point is running one or more 
bridges, striking the turning-post in order, or perform- 
ing the roquet, except on a ball the second time in one 
tour without making an intervening step. 



T 



3. A ball is not through its bridge when the 
handle of the mallet laid across the two piers of 
the bridge upon the side from whence the ball 
came, touches the ball without moving the bridge. 



RUNNING THE BRIDGES. 37 

4. A roquet that constitutes a point (note, p. 34) 
gives to the player the right to croquet every ball 
roqueted, and afterwards to continue play; but 
no other privilege, even though the roquet and one 
or more bridges are made at the same stroke. 

5. If a player makes two steps at one stroke, 
he may take position one mallet's length or less, 
in any direction from where the ball rested. 

6. If a player makes three steps at one stroke, 
he may take position as above up to two mallet 
lengths or less. 

7. A ball passing under its bridge in the wrong 
direction is not in position to run the bridge until 
it has passed clear through according to the fore- 
going rule. 

8. A ball lying under a bridge is not in posi- 
tion for that bridge if it has been so placed by the 
hand for the purpose of croquet or roquet-croquet, 
no matter from what position it may have been 
taken. (See Appendix, E.) 

9. Tolling the turning post is in all respects 
equivalent to running a bridge, but the post may 
be tolled from any quarter. 

Section III. 
STRIKING OUT. 

1. A ball, after it has run all the bridges, may 
hit the starting-post either by a blow from its 
owner's mallet, by roquet, roquet-croquet, croquet 



38 CROQUET. 



or concussion, and is then a dead hall, and must 
be immediately removed from the field, . 

2. A player who having run all the bridges 
strikes the starting-post, is out of the game, his 
turn is omitted, and the play goes on as before. 
If, instead of striking the post, he continues to 
play, he is called a rover. 

3. If the roquet-croquet is allowed to all 
players alike, the rover is governed entirely by 
the same laws as other players. 

Note, — Therefore, a rover having completed the 
grand round, and having no other steps to make (ex- 
cept stepping out, when of course his play ceases) can 
only acquire the right to continuance of play ^ty the 
roquet. He may (after roquet upon it) croquet or 
roquet-croquet each ball once only during a tour. 
Eoquet upon a ball the second time during a tour 
does not entitle him to a continuance of play. 

4. When all the balls on one side have made 
the grand round and hit the starting-post, that 
side has won the game. 



Section IV. 
ROQUET. 

1. A ball roquets another when it comes in 
contact with it by a direct blow of the mallet, or 
rebounds upon it after the blow, from any fixed 
obstacle of the ground or from another ball. 

2. A ball having roqueted another ball, is at 



ROQUET. 39 



liberty to croquet or roquet-croquet it or proceed 
on its round; providing that the playing ball has 
not already in that tonr roqueted that same ball 
since making a step on the round. 

3. A ball may roquet another ball twice be- 
tween two consecutive steps, but the second ro- 
quet does not entitle the player to a continuance 
of piay. 

4. Any player in his turn is at liberty at any 
time to make roquet on any ball on the ground. 

5. A ball having made roquet and declined the 
croquet, may continue its play either from the 
position to which it has rolled after the roquet, 
or from the side of the roqueted ball. 

6. If a ball roquet another and thereby gain 
the privilege of croquet, and afterwards, at the 
same blow, run a bridge; it may croquet the ro- 
queted ball, then proceed to roquet it again, then 
croquet again and proceed on its round; or waiv- 
ing either or both croquets, or the last roquet and 
croquet, may proceed on its round. 

Note.— Thus supposing the playing ball roquets a 
ball that it has not roqueted since making a step, and 
afterwards at the same blow runs a bridge; it of course 
has a right to croquet the roqueted ball ; then as that 
roquet was made hefore the playing ball run its bridge 
there is no reason why it cannot again roquet and cro- 
quet the same ball. But had the playing ball j?rs^ run 
a bridge and afterwards at the same blow roqueted a 



40 CROQUET. 



ball then it can have but one croquet according to 
Eule 2, Sec. IV. 

7. The continuance of play is gained by virtue 
of the roquet, and not of the croquet. The cro- 
quet is merely a privilege consequent upon the 
roquet. Therefore, to waive a croquet does not 
terminate the play. This principle once fixed in 
the mind will avoid much confusion in under- 
standing and interpreting the rules. (See Ap- 
pendix, F.) 



Section. V. 
THE CROQUET AND ROQUET-CROQUET. 

1. A player may croquet or roquet-croquet any 
number of balls consecutively ; but he can cro- 
quet or roquet-croquet only those balls on which 
he has made roquet, and roquet on the same ball 
the second time in one tour without an interven- 
ing step does not entitle the player to a croquet. 

2. If a player in the act of croqueting does 
not separate the balls, he is at liberty to take the 
stroke over again. (See Appendix, G.) 

3. If a player in executing the roquet-croquet 
does not move the croqueted ball from its posi- 
tion, his tour of play ceases, unless by the same 
stroke he makes a point. 



ROQUET-CROQUET. 41 



Note. — If it is in dispute whether or not the ball 
lias been moved as above required, the question shall 
be decided by the umpire if there be one, if not, by 
the chief of the side opposing the player. (See Ap- 
pendix, H.) 

4. If a ball is croqueted either through its own 
bridge or upon the turning or starting-post when 
in order, a point so made holds good. 

5. In making ricochet the player is at liberty to 
croquet either a part or all of the balls roqueted ; 
but the order of croquet must be that of the 
ricochet, — the player, however, has only one 
additional stroke, and not one for each ball he 
has roqueted. 

6. If a ball when croqueted or driven through 
its own bridge in its course roll back through 
or under the bridge, it has not run that bridge. 
(See Appendix, I.) 

7. The laws that govern Croquet all apply to 
Roquet- Croquet, except as to points for which 
special rules are herein given. 

8. If a ball flinch in the execution of the Cro- 
quet, it is considered as merely a Roquet-Croquet, 
and subject to the same laws. In this case, of 
course, any point made or advantage gained by 
either ball holds good. (See Appendix, J.) 



42 CROQUET. 



Sectioia VI. 
DISPLACED BALLS. 

1. A ball accidentally displaced must be re- 
turned, by the chief of the side opposed to the 
person displacing it, to the place where it was 
lying, before the play proceeds. 

2. If a ball be hit off the ground it is to be 
placed at once, and before the play proceeds, 
twelve inches within the limit of the boundary 
and at a point nearest to where it stopped, which 
of course causes the ball to be brought in square 
with the boundary. 

3. If a ball in its progress over the ground be 
interrupted by the person or mallet of an enemy, 
the ball may be placed by the chief of the side 
owning the ball, in such position as he may judge 
it would have rested had it not been interrupted 
in its progress. If interrupted by the person 
or mallet of a friend the ball may be placed by the 
chief of the opposing side in such position as he 
may judge it would have rested. 

4. A person not taking part in the game, 
should never he ivithin the hounds of a croquet 
ground when a game is in progress ; but should 
such person accidentally be in such a position and 
either displace the ball, or interrupt it \n its prog- 



DISPLACED BALLS. 



ress, such person shall be considered as an enemy 
to the owner of the ball, and the ball be replaced 
according to ruleS 1 and 3 of this section. 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 



Keep your temper, and rememher when your 
turn comes. 

Make good use of the privilege of croquet and 
roquet-croquet, and not consider it the sole object 
of the game to run the bridges — and yet it is not 
well to too much neglect the bridges as they must 
all be run before you can become a rover. Prac- 
tise the roquet-croquet whenever an opportunity 
offers, as it is susceptible of more scientific play- 
ing than any other stroke. 

Accustom yourself to be guided strictly accord- 
ing to established rules as far as you are informed 
on the subject. 

Do not attempt to use a kind of push and call 
it a stroke, although it may not be expressly for- 
bidden in some manual of croquet. 

Avoid acquiring the habit of standing behind 
the ball and holding the mallet in a perpendicular 



I 44 CROQUET. 



position witli both hands when making a stroke, 
even though you play with those who do not ob- 
ject to the practice, as it will ilot .be allowed on 
any well-regulated croquet ground. In making 
a stroke grasp your mallet firmly ; strike square- 
ly — take care that your wrist does not turn or 
twist (unless you wish to give a twist to your 
ball) — and after getting your aim look rather at 
your mark than your ball when giving the blow. 
After calculating distance, direction, &c., there is 
no more use in looking at your ball, except to be 
sure you can hit it, than in throwing a stone to 
look at your hand rather than the mark. 

If the enemy have an expert rover it is gener- 
ally advisable to use every effort to strike him out. 

As an offset to this method of play it is often 
advisable to neglect to make the last bridge till 
near the close of the game, as in this way you 
can venture as near the starting-post as you please 
without the fear of being deaded. 

It is often the case that yoit and an enemy may 
both be in position for the last bridge. In such 
a case as a general rule roquet him, then croquet 
or roquet-croquet through the bridge, roquet again 
and croquet him against the starting-post, thus 
depriving the other side of a rover, gaining the 
advantage of bringing two of your own ^ide into 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 45 

consecutive play. Leave your own ball as near 
your friend and as far from an enemy as possible. 

Accustom yourself as much as possible to strike 
with one hand, as it is much more graceful, and 
many players allow no other blow. 

The ladies will very much oblige all their asso- 
ciates in croquet by avoiding long dresses, which 
are continually dragging the balls about over the 
ground greatly to the annoyance of the players 
and disturbance of the game. 

To the gentleman we would say it is no proof 
of skill in executing the croquet, to swing your 
mallet, with both hands and give a blow hard 
enough to kill an ox. If you want to do that 
sort of thing — it would be more agreeable to all 
concerned for you to go off alone somewhere and 
split wood. An easy skillful stroke will send a 
ball anywhere within the bounds, and a ball out 
of bounds may be brought in, so nothing is gained 
by "sledge-hammering," except injuring t\\e im- 
plements, irritating the players and delaying the 
game. 

In executing the roquet-croquet the stroke may 
be varied so as to produce three very different re- 
sults. First, if it is desirable to have the second- 
ary ball go much further than your own, strike a 
sliarp quick blow proportioned in force to the dis- 



46 CROQUET. 



tance you wish your own ball to go, checking the 
force the instant the mallet hits the ball. Secondly, 
if you wish to send both balls along together strike 
a more sweeping blow (not a push) permitting 
the mallet to have its full swing. The difference 
in these two blows is much more easily discovered 
by the player than described with the pen. 

The third stroke may partake of the nature of 
either of the above, but differs in the fact that the 
blow of the mallet is not delivered in a line with 
the centers of the two balls, but partially to one 
side of the rear ball, thus producing the splitting 
stroke, i. e., sending the two balls in courses 
diverging from each other. This is much the 
most difficult stroke of the three. 

In procuring a set of Croquet Materials, be 
sure that you know what you want, or else buy a 
set manufactured by some recognized manufac- 
turer. It may seem a very simple thing to have 
a setdof mallets, &c., made from a description, but 
having tried the experiment, we can testify that 
to procure suitable lumber, — well seasoned, have 
mallets well shaped, the handles serviceable and 
not bungling, the h2\\% perfectly round, the bridges 
well formed and proportioned,— and the paint- 
ing brilliant and properly arranged is a very dif- 
ficult matter. An English author on this subject 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 



says : "it was our fortune (or rather misfortune) 
" when in the country, last year, to take part in a 
" game of Croquet played with home-made ma- 
*' terials. We only hope that it will never be our 
'* lot to play with such things again. The mallets 
'* were so large they had to be used as one would 
" a scythe in mowing grass. The heads, instead 
" of tapering at the center, bore a great resem- 
" blance to an ale barrel on a small scale, and 
'* were so large that if one attempted to croquet, 
"one was sure to hit one's own foot instead of 
" the ball. These, by-the-by, were any shape but 
" round. They bobbed up and down when in 
" progress, and scarcely ever went in the di- 
" rection which it was intended for them to 

" Such was the satisfactory result of the combined 
" labors of the local carpenter and blacksmith. 
" We therefore earnestly recommend our readers 
" to eschew the use of home-made sets of Croquet 
"altogether." 

We endorse the foregoing statement, adding 
that responsible manufacturers in various parts of 
the country are now furnishing excellent sets of 
implements at a cheaper rate than individuals can 
get up equally good sets for themselves. There 
is, therefore, no economy in using a home-made set. 



PARLOR CROQUET. 



Parlor Croquet is a very good substitute for 
the Lawn-game, and may be enjoyed in a winter 
day or evening very much as canned fruit or pre- 
served flowers are enjoyed as excellent and beau- 
tiful substitutes for the delicious fruits of autumn 
and fragrant flowers of summer. But as the 
canned fruit is insipid when used beside the fresh 
fruit of autumn, so will the parlor game seem 
when attempted in the season of the field sport. 
There are two kinds of Parlor Croquet — which 
may Ibe termed Carpet Croquet, and Table or 
Board Croquet. 

The Carpet Croquet is played exactly like the 
field game and with similar materials except that 
they are usually smaller, being reduced in size in 
the same proportion that the space available in a 
room is smaller than the Lawn Croquet ground. 
The same relative proportion in the size of mate- 
rials should be preserved as that given for the 
materials of the lawn game — -assuming as a 
standard— a ball from 2| to 2^- inches in diameter. 
There are several ingenious devices for fastening 
the bridges to the floor or carpet. Ea^h one of 



PARLOK AND BOARD CROQUET. 49 

those which we have seen have some objections ; 
but those which are fastened with tacks are the 
simplest and we consider them the best. 

The Board Game is played on a board of any 
convenient size— say five feet long and three feet 
wide — covered with baize or flannel, and sur- 
rounded by a ledge or thin strip projecting above 
the top surface three-fourths of an inch. 

The bridges and posts are set in this board in 
the same manner that the larger bridges are set 
in the ground on the lawn. The balls should be 
about one inch in diameter and may be of glass — 
but boxwood or ivory are better. 

The size of the mallet should be in proportion 
to that of the balls, with handles about eight 
inches long. 

The method of play is the same as in Lawn 
Croquet, except the Croquet is executed by 
placing the finger instead of the foot on the play- 
ing ball. The rules are the same with the fol- 
lowing exception and additions : 

Making two or more steps at one stroke does 
not entitle the player to the privilege of taking 
position up to one or more mallets' length. 

Any player driving his ball off the board termi- 
nates his tour of play by that stroke, and the ball 
must be placed immediately on the starting spot. 



50 CROQUET. 



If a player, by a roquet or concussion, drive 
the ball of an ene7ny off the board, the owner of 
the ball shall immediately replace it on the board, 
in any position he may choose, and the player 
may then continue his play. If a ball is driven 
off as above, by a friend, the ball so driven off 
shall at once be replaced on the starting-spot, and 
the player may continue his play. 

Should it so happen, that, according to tne 
above. rules, it should be necessary to place a ball 
on the starting-spot, when the spot was already 
occupied by another ball ; then the second ball 
shall be placed about one inch from the first bail; 
and on a line with the starting-post. 

A very pleasant variation of the game may be 
produced where there are but two players, Dy 
using one ball for each player, and then placing 
on the table an extra, neutral ball, which may 
be used by both players for the purpose of ro- 
quet-croquet, &c. 

The board Croquet is the most popular, for the 
reason that it does not injure the furniture in any 
room, while the Carpet Croquet, although more 
like the lawn game, requires a large room — well 
cleared — or there will soon be an action of Cro- 
quet vs. furniture. 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 



Undek this head we present some problems that 
may be of use to learners, and convince them that 
success in Croquet does not depend on the amount 
of strength possessed by the player. 

Of course, we can not in the limits of this work 
attempt to present any great proportion of the al- 
most innumerable combinations that are constantly 
occurring in the practice of Croquet; but we give 
a few carefully selected examples, which we trust 
may serve as a key to the science of the game. 

Before commencing the illustration of special 
points, we would fully impress upon the minds 
of Croquet players the fact that it is not the hard 
blows that tell on a Croquet field. 

A clear brain, correct eye, and steady nerve 
are the chief requisites for a croquet player, and 
even without much nerve, a clear brain and a good 
knowledge of the rules and practices of the game 
will give the victory in a majority 6i the .cases. 

The remarks and examples here given are in- 
tended for learners, and probably will be read by 
many who will consider some of them exceedingly 
simple, and they may be so to those who have 
learned the game on a ground with expert play- 



52 CROQUET. 



ers ; but it is not for them that this work is in- 
tended. Croquet is a game that can be played 
and enjoyed anywhere when once thoroughly un- 
derstood, but may be made exceedingly tame 
through want of a knowledge of the fine points. 

We have seen parties playing Croquet who had 
owned a fine set of implements for two years, and 
yet had not learned the first elements of good 
playing, and how should they ? The implements 
had been purchased with the rules of the game, 
and these had been thoroughly studied and faith- 
fully followed, but their best points in the game 
consisted in running the bridges and croqueting 
an enemy as far as possible at every opportunity. 
As soon as the scientific shots were even hinted 
at, their quick perceptions and knowledge of the 
game enabled them to profit by them at once. 

These examples are based on the universal use 
of the loose Croquet or Roquet-Croquet, because 
we do not believe that American ]3layers of Cro- 
quet are willing to deprive the game of its best 
points and greatest fund of interest by giving the 
rover the monopoly of this truly scientific stroke. 

The illustrations of the problems, as we have 
here attempted, is somewhat complicated, and any 
student will find it advantageous to first study 
this diagram and fix in his mind the order of 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 



^-u^ 



^ STARTING 
POST. 



POST 
DIAQRAM. 



54 CROQUET. 



the bridges and accustom himself, not only in 
reading this work, but on the ground while play- 
ing, to designate the bridges by the figures and 
letters here used, as this arrangement is becoming 
universal. It will be noticed that in running the 
first bridge on the way from the starting-post 
towards the turning-post, the bridge is No. 1, 
but on the return to the starting-post it is G. 

The bridges number in order from the starting 
to the turning-post, and are lettered in order from 
the turning to the starting-posl. Thus if a player 
is asked which is his proper bridge, and he says 
B, it is understood at once that he is for the- 
second bridge from the turning-post going from 
the turning-post which he has already tollied. 

These figures and letters will very soon, by 
constant use, become so associated in the mind 
with their respective bridges that it will require 
no eiiort of thought to connect them. 

While the Roquet- Croquet or loose Croquet is 
the best stroke in the game, the splitting stroke 
is the best part of the Roquet- Croquet, and 
is both the most difficult and capable of the 
greatest variations. To accomplish this stroke 
successfully, the player must determine the di- 
rection he wishes each ball to proceed, and then, 
the balls being properly arranged, strike in a 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 00 



\ direction just about between the 

1 two, but bearing apparently 

\ more in the direction of the 

^ line connecting the centers of 

^ the two balls. A little prac- 

@f '''*.^^^ tioe will give a better idea of 

i \ ^K^ the effect of this stroke than 

i \ *•' pages of description — but a 

I \ , general idea may be obtained 

• I • from the accompanying dia- 

Koquet-Croquet stroke, ©■pam 

Problem 1. Ball No. 1 having run bridge 3 
is in position for bridge 4. It roquets Ball 2, 
g and at the same blow runs bridge 4. 
•— p* Now 1 having roqueted 2, has a right 
\ ^ to roquet-croquet with it, which ' it 
^^^ does. Now the first roquet having 
-l^X 2^^^^ ^^^^ previous to running bridge 
// / ^' ^^^^ -'■ ^^® ^ ^o^*^ to again roquet 
2, and then croquet, or roquet- croquet 
. /^ and continue play. Thus for accom- 
plishing the scientific stroke of roquet- 
ing a ball and running a bridge at the same blow, 
No. 1 gains an additional stroke which is as it 
should be. 

Problem 2. Balls 1 and 2 are in position for 



56 CROQUET. 



bridge 3, 1 to play. 1 roquets 2, then roquet- 
2; croquets with 2 by a splitting 
^^-"T^ stroke, running the bridge with 
ik^^ I \ 1 and carrying ^ outside the 
3 f ' % bridge. 1 again roquets 2 which 
/ \ gains the privilege of another 
/ , ^^ roquet-croquet, but now the split- 
-^ ting stroke is not necessary as 2 
. * " is not in position for bridge 4, 
and therefore, both balls can be 
driven through the bridge to- 
5 • • ■ gether, and the operation of ro- 
quet and roquet-croquet repeated as long as the 
player can play with success. The same result 
can be accomplished by croqueting 2 on one side 
of bridge, and then running bridge with 1. 

^S*. R I^ROBLEiM 3. 2 to play. 2 is in 
position for bridge F, and 1 is in po- 
sition for bridge G. 1 is an expert, 
and hence it is good playing for 2 to 

, ^ dead him. 2 runs F, roquets 1, ro- 

G ©^ quet croquets through Gr, again ro- 

quets 1 and croquets him against the 
2 starting-post. 2 is now a rover and at 
f 2 liberty to proceed to help the other 

players on his side, and 1 having 
been deaded, 2 bids fair to win. 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 57 



Problem 4. No. 1 to jDlay. He is not an 
expert player and not sure either of his direction 






i 

i 



or force, hut wishes to gain position for bridge 4, 
or — ^being a rover — ^wishes to aid 3 or retard 4. 
By roqueting 2, and then roquet-croqueting with 
2 strongly in the general direction of 3 and 4, he 
may drive 1 and 2 entirely across the ground over 
the boundary, no matter how far, for they can be 
placed at once 12 inches within the boundary 
which will bring 1 in the vicinity of 3 and 4, and 
having another stroke, he may roquet one or both 
and continue his play. 

Problem 5. 1 has roqueted 2; P is position 

for 1 ; bridge 6 is not the proper bridge for 2; 

1 cannot be placed under B for a 

>^ ^ roquet-croquet, and by that roquet- 

/ % * croquet run the bridge (see Rule 

/3 IV., 4). Solution: Roquet-cro- 



o ^ 



58 CROCiTJi^:^:. 



quet 2 and 1 back tlirough B, bringing 1 into 
position at P. Then 1 at the next stroke can run 
the bridge and proceed on its course. 

Problem 6. — Conditions same as above except 
that 2 is in position for bridge 6. 

Solution: Place 1 at 1^ 
2 2 /' ^^^ roquet croquet according 

Q -'-<^p ^ to diagram to V^ and 2'. 

/ B~/^ — ' T\ns> might be done' in prob- 

O / lem 5 if it was not desirable 

'^-'^ to place 2 in the position it 

would assume by driving it 

through the bridge,. but as the splitting stroke is 

somewhat more difficult than a straight stroke it 

is not as sure except to an expert. 

Problem 7. — 1 is an expert rover; 2 is out 

of position, 2 to strike. It might at first thought 

seem best to roquet 1, then ro- 

• © quet-croquet to position. But 

we should roquet 1, then cro- 

^ quet 1 against the starting-post 

and then strike for position. 

Or, still better, if the relative 

• — - — -e positions of the balls will admit, 

roquet 1, then with a splitting roquet-croquet dead 

1 and carry 2 to position and continue play> But 



/ 



CROQUET PROBLEMS, 59 

the great advantage of deading a good rover 
should not be overlooked. 

Problem 8. — The difference between a thought- 
ful and a careless player is seen as much in the 
P &h^ positions in which 
\ the two will leave 

\ the several balls 

\ at the termination 

\ of a tour as in any 

\ part of the game. 

•- * : j2 For instance, in 

© diagram, 1 is in 

position, 2 to play, 3 is the proper bridge for 2, 
now it would be very unwise for 2 to strike into 
position near 1 as he would of course be roqueted 
by 1 at his next tour. Hence supposing there 
were no other balls in the vicinity, 2 should strike 
for 2' and thus gain position so far from 1 that he 
will not care to attempt a roquet. But if 4 
should be located as in diagram, 2 should strike 
for 4 — but with such force as to be sure and not 
overrun 4 very much if he misses it. Then 4 
can help 2 at his next, turn. 

In croqueting a ball, under any circumstances, 
always bear in mind the order of playing of all 
the balls on the ground. Thus: in croqueting 
a friend to a good position, be careful that you do 



60 



CROQUET. 



not place him in close proximity to an enemy, 
unless his play comes before that of the foe. 
Also, in croqueting an enemy, do not send him 
near his friends, neither near your friends, unless 
they play first. 

Problem 9. — D, is the proper bridge for 1. 
1 to play for position. 1, should j)lay to 3, and 



\ 



x 



not to 2, because in 
playing for 2 he must 
calculate exactly on 
\ the distance, other- 

2 ^ \->^ f wise he will go either 

• — \ S, . ^ too far, or not far 

enough, and will still be out of position. 

Problem 10. 1 is in position for B. The 

play of a thoughtless player would be to run 

2 .^ B, and then strike 



^; 



2: — 



,/ 



B 



for jxisition in front 
of C. But an ex- 
pert would strike 
smartly through B, 
gaining position near 
2, then roquet 2 and 
roquet-croquet to po- 
sition in front of C. 
And still better, if 





CROQUET PROBLEMS. 61 


expert enough^ 


lie would take a splitting stroke, 


carrying 1 to 1' 


' and 2 to 2^ Then run C and 


again roquet 2, 


&c. 


Problem 11. 


2 is a rover. 1 is out of posi- 




f tion, whicla is at P. If 




O 1 plays to P, 2 will 


©^ 


i roquet him at the next 


1 turn ; but if he can play 


>4^ 


I to 1, the bridge then 




, i intervenes, and protects 


• 


• him. The piers of the 




1 bridges are excellent for- 


P 


1 ^ tifications when properly 




* used. 


Problem 12 


3 is in possible position for B. 




J 1 is a rover and 




to play. If he 





plays to 3, he 


of position, but 


/ 


by playing to 1, 


, o 


o can roquet him 


after running 


B, and then roquet-croquet to 


position for C, 

1 

/ 

1 —— 


&c. 



VOCABULARY. 



Booby. — See Appendix^, K. 

Bridges or Arches. — The iron hoops or hows 
through which the halls pass. 

Bridged Ball. — A ball that has run the first 
bridge. 

Concussion. — The displacement of a ball by 
another driven against it by roquet, croquet, 
ricochet, or roquet-croquet, and not hit directly 
either by the mallet or by the playing ball. 

Croquet. —(Pronounced Cro'-kay.) The title 
of the game. 

The Croquet. — Any ball having struck an- 
other, is taken up and placed in contact with the 
ball it has struck. The player sets his foot upon 
his own ball, pressing firmly so as to hold it in 
place, and with a blow of his mallet, delivered 
upon his own ball, drives the other ball in what- 
ever direction he may desire. This operation is 
faithfully represented in the frontispiece^ 



VOCABULARY. 



63 



Djbad Ball. — One that has made the grand 
round and hit the starting-post. 

Distanced, — A ball is distanced when at the 
termination of the game it has not tolled the 
turning-post. 

Down. — The course from the turning-post to 
the starting-post. 

A Flinch, — When in the croquet, the playing 
ball is driven from under foot by the blow of the 
mallet, it is called a flinch. 

Front of a Bridge. — The side from which 
the ball must proceed in running it, and with the 
central bridges is not constant, but is decided in 
each case by the course of the ball under con- 
sideration. 

Grand Bound.' — A ball has made the grand 
round when it has run all the bridges and tolled 
the turning-post, and is then a rover. 



Playing Ball. — The 
mallet. 



struck with the 



Point. — A player makes a point by running 
a bridge or tolling a post, or by roqueting a ball 
that he has not previously roqueted during the 



64 CROQUET. 



tour since making a step— or in other words, by 
roqueting a ball under such circumstances as 
would entitle him to the privilege of the croquet. 

Position. — A ball is in position when it lies 
in front of its proper bridges with a possibilifcy of 
running it by a single blow of the mallet. 

Proper Bridge.—A bridge which it is a 
player's turn to run next in order, is said to be 
that player's bridge or his proper bridge. 

Push. — A stroke in which the mallet remains 
in contact with the ball after the instant of contact. 

Ricochet.- — (Rick'-o-shay.) A ball making 
roquet on two or more balls by the same blow of 
the mallet. 

Roquet. — (Ro''-kay.) A ball makes roquet 
on another ball when proceeding from a blow of 
the mallet, it comes in contact with it, either di- 
rectly or by rebounding from a fixed obstacle in 
the ground or from another ball. 

Some writers define the roquet as the contact of the 
playing ball with another ball under such circum- 
stances as to constitute a point. This is merelj a 
matter of choice regarding the facility of defining the 
other operations of the game. We consider that our 
definition renders the whole matter much the more 
simple. 



VOCABULARY. 65 



RoQUET-CROQUET.^rrThe same as croquet, ex- 
cept that the playing ball is not held under the 
foot, but both balls are free to move in accordance 
Tvith the blow of the mallet. 

A Rover.— A ball that has run all the bridges 
and has not hit the starting-post. 

Starting-Post.— -The stake from which the 
play proceeds. See Diagram. 

A Step.-^ — Running a bridge, or tolling the 
turning-post. 

Striking Out.— ^A ball struck against the 
starting-post after having run all the bridges in 
their proper order, is struck out and is out of the 
game. 

The Turning-Post. — The post opposite the 
starting-post. 

Tolling the Turning-Post. — Striking the 
turning post in its proper order. 

Tour, Turn, or Tour of Play. — The con- 
tinued successful playing of any player is called 
his tour of play, and is terminated by his failure 
to play with success. 

Under a Bridge. — A ball is under a brido-e 



66 



CROQUET. 



when if the mallet handle is placed across the 
piers of the bridge on each side it will touch the 
ball in both positions of the handle. 

Up. — The course from the starting-post to the 
turning-post- 




Appendix. 



A. 

See Page 13. 

The Patented Indexical Balls by which the sides are 
designated as well as the individual players, are a great 
improvement on the ordinary style of painting the balls. 
In this arrangement the balls are designated by the 
several colors as usual, — one-half light colors and one- 
half dark colors. In addition, all the hght balls have 
a black stripe, and all the dark balls a white stripe. 
There seems to be a tendency among persons unaccus- 
tomed to the game, to prefer a ball of the natural wood 
color with merely a stripe of p&int to designate the 
players ; but such a selection is not wise, because it is 
of the greatest importance that each ball shall be readily 
distinguished across the field, and with merely a stripe 
of color this is oftentimes impossible, especially if the 
grass is a little too high. 

B. 

• See Page 15. 

One manufacturer has conceived and patented the 
happy idea of plating the iron bridges with zinc, which 
gives them a permanent Hght color, and also protects 
them from rust. 

Some writers assert that withs or firkin hoops answer 
very well for bridges. They may answer as a very 
poor substitute ; but a good Croquet player would no 
sooner play with such materials than a billiard player 



68 CROQUET. 



with a slack rope for a cushion or an umbrella for a cue. 
In many of the scientific shots of the game the player 
calculates upon the rigidity of the bridges, and iron 
bridges when recently set in sandy soil are at best none 
too rigid, while by a little use they soon become very 
unrehable. 

To avoid this and at the same time render the bridges 
capable of being moved from the ground and replaced 
readily, the Removable Socket Bridge has been invented. 
In this arrangement each iron bridge is provided with 
two wooden sockets, which are driven into the ground 
in their proper positions, and have holes to receive the 
bridge. As these sockets may be driven down nearly 
or quite flush with the ground, it is evident that when 
the iron bridges are removed, the ground is free to be 
used for domestic or other purposes, and the bridges by 
their removal are protected from the weather. The 
sockets by their large size compared to the size of the 
bridge give a permanence and rigidity not otherwise 
attainable. . 



See Page 16. 

Many devices have been suggested for marking the 
bridges when run, such as clips or markers, painting 
the bridge different colors, etc., but none of them have 
proved popular. The most convenient and practicable 
device seems to be the Croquet Record Dials. These 
dials are small, each having a rotary pointer by which 
each player provided with a dial can keep his or her 
own position, — as the dial may be attached to the belt 
or button-hole, it is always at hand. 

T>. 

See Pages 21, 33. 

The playing must necessarily be in the order of the 
colors on the post. But on some grounds the chief is. 
allowed to assign the balls to the several players on his 
side according to his own choice; thus according to 



APPENDIX. - 69 



this rule the chief is not compelled to play the first 
ball. We do not advise this practice as there is gen- 
erally some real or fancied difference in the mallets, 
and hence a chief is liable to offend some one in the 
distribution of the materials. There are other objec- 
tions which we have not space to discuss. 

E. 

See Page 35. 

This rule at first may seem to be arbitrary, but we 
think on reflection it will be considered in accordance 
with the best interests of the game. If the ball was 
taken from the back of the bridge, it would not be in 
position, having come from the wrong side, as above. 
Now if it should be allowed that a ball may be taken 
from the front of the bridge and placed under the 
bridge without losing position, as would at first seem 
proper, then the question immediately arises as to a 
ball when taken from a position directly on a line with 
the two piers of the bridge, thus coming from neither 
front nor back. This question can rarely be settled 
without dispute ; to avoid which we have considered, 
the adoption of the above rule as most judicious. 

See Page 88. 

One author on Croquet assumes to propound a set of 
rules on double points, which are entirely new and at 
variance with all previously established principles of 
the game, inasmuch as they allow a player to waive 
any point made or privilege gained. It is an established 
fact in Croquet that a player may waive any privilege 
that he has acquired; but it is "also as well established 
that a step once made can not be taken back. The 
beauty of Croquet is, in a great degree, due to its sim- 
plicity, and the granting of the above right to players 
adds one-half to the difficulties of the game without 
adding in the least to its interests. A game of Croquet, 



70 CROQUET. 



in which all the players except the rover, are denied 
the privilege of Koquet-Croquet, and in which the right 
to waive a step is introduced, becomes at once twice as 
intricate, requires double the rules to explain it, and 
loses one-half its interest. 

a. 

See Page 38. 
Instead af the above, the following rule is often 
given : A Croquet is completed when the mallet makes 
a perceptible (that is an audible) blow against the cro- 
queting ball, whether that to be croqueted move from 
its place or not. This rule gives rise to frequent dis- 
putes whether the blow was perceptible or not, and is 
not as generally acceptable as the one we have given. 

H. 

See Page 39. 
Some authors allow the Roquet-Croquet to the rover 
only ; but as it is one of the most scientific operations of 
the game, the majority of players are not willing to give it 
exclusively to the rover, especially when it is considered 
that a person who is able to become an early rover will 
naturally have advantage enough without any extra fa- 
vors. Further, the argument that the universal use of the 
Roquet -Croquet tends to perceptibly prolong the game 
has been proved by actual test to be without foundation. 

I. 

See Page 39. 

This rule is based upon the principle that all questions 
as to position can only be satisfactorily determined when 
the ball is not in motion. In the case put it would fre- 
quently be impossible to decide whether the ball when 
it began to roll back was through or not. So also 
if a ball is driven from the rear through a bridge to 
position, and then rolls back through the bridge it has 
not run the bridge — but if it is driven from the rear out- 
side the bridge and then rolls through in course it runs 
the bridge. 

J. 
See Page 89. 

By adopting this rule all unpleasant difference of 



APPENDIX. 



71 



opinion as to the proper positions of the balls is avoided ; 
and as the origin of the Roquet-Croquet was this very 
practice of placing the foot lightly upon the playing 
ball and then allowing both balls to be moved together, 
there seems to be no objection to the rule. 

This rule only applies in a game where the roquet- 
croquet is allowed to all players. 

In case the Roquet-Croquet is only allowed to the 
rover, the following rule applies : If the player's ball 
flinch in executing the Croquet, he forfeits the remainder 
of his tour, and no point made by a flinching ball is 
valid, and the balls are considered as accidentally dis- 
placed and are replaced in accordance with the rule ap- 
plying to accidentally displaced balls. 

K. 

See Page 32. 

Booby. — For some reason, never well defined, it has 
heretofore been customary to make a distinction be- 
tween the first bridge and any other, by calling a ball 
missing the first bridge a Booby, and allowing it extra 
privileges or imposing upon it some penalties. Two 
methods of play have Ibeen most common, — the one 
allowing the booby to be immediately taken from the 
ground and played from the starting-spot at the next 
turn ; the other, allowing the booby to remain on the 
ground, but forbidding all use of it by Croquet or Ro- 
quet-Croquet. In the first case the booby has an ad- 
vantage, as by playing booby intentionally the first 
player may loose his turn and thus come in to^ instead 
of first, which is very desirable to a good player. Now 
suppose that all the players should have the same 
preferences, — by continually playing booby the game 
would never commence. 

In the second case, the booby has a disadvantage, 
because if out of position he must take two turns to 
• make the first bridge ; while if he could Croquet or Ro- 
quet-Croquet other balls, he might make it one. 

It has been our object, as far as possible, to render the 



72 CROQUET. 



game systematic, and hence we always desire to avoid 
the ihtroduction of arbitrary rules unless they seem 
necessary. In this case we can not see the least neces- 
sity for making any distinction between the first bridge 
and any other, and the more especially does it seem 
both unnecessary and undesirable, when the attempts 
to change the regular order, have, with reference to the 
privileges of the booby, gone, — the one rule on one side, 
and the other rule the other side of the mean that is 
obtained simply by letting the whole matter alone. If 
it is thought necessary to have the Booby at all, we 
should of the two evils much prefer to take it up rather 
than leave it to be played from the position to which it 
last rolled — in which case no other additional rules of 
the game are required to meet the case. 

L. 

See Page 32* 

No absolute rule can be given for striking a ball. It 
certainly is the most easy, healthful, and graceful style 
to hold the mallet in one hand and stand at the side of 
the ball. But as many persons have not sufficient 
strength in the wrist to deliver a strong blow accurately 
with one hand, it is not just to require such methods of 
play.. Also, in the position of the body with reference 
to the ball, it is impossible to establish any absolute 
rule ; but there is one style of stroke sometimes prac- 
ticed by gentlemen that is both very awkward in itself 
and equally ungenerous towards the ladies, who cannot 
adopt it: We refer to the practice of standing directly 
behind the ball, and striking by holding the mallet- 
handle in a perpendicular position and swinging the 
mallet-head between the feet. "We trust that no person 
who has the least pride will require a rule to prevent the 
use of this abominable style of play. 



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IVIagic Hoops Is Queen. 



The game is simple in method, requires but little space to play, and 
while it is exceedingly interesting, does not demand constant attention on 
the part of the players. 

It is just the thing to carry to pic-nics, and in such places is more pop- 
ular than Croquet or.other games that require constant and continued 
attention. 

This game is put up in four styles. 
No. 1, is the most complete and elaborate, in a box with hinged corer sim- 
ilar to Croquet but smaller. Price, $iM. 
No. 8, has same number of hoops as No. 1, but is more portable. The box 

containing the hoops, serves as a base for post. Price, f 2.75. 
No. 8 1-3, same style as No. 2, but containing nine hoops instead of twelve. 

Price, $2.25. 
No. 3, same style and number of parts as No. 2^, hoops and post not 
painted. Price, $2.00. 



Kiifleriarten f eavi ai Braifliit 

A NEW AMUSEMENT FOR LITTLE GIRLS, FROM THE 

KINDERGARTEN METHOD. 



This is one of the most popular devices ever offered and wherever once 
known is the delight of the children, and the favorite of the parents. A 
box containing mats, fringe, weaving needle and design patterns. Price, 
75 cents. 



WOOD'S 



1 



ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR. 

50 With the Beautiful Chromo. 




THE YOSEMITE VALLEY. 

14x20 inclies, in 17 Oil Colors. 

Magazine, one year, with Mounted Clircmo, . 
Magazine, one year, with Unmounted Cliromo, 
Magazine, alone, one year, . 



S3 00 
1 50 
1 00 



The unmounted Chromo is sent by mail. Those mounted and framed are 
delivered at our office, or by canvassers, or boxed and sent by express at 
subscriber's expense, or mailed by us on receipt of 30 cents exti-a for 
postage. 

WORKERS WANTED. 

Send for premium list, and Agents' terms. Specimen Magazine, 10 cte.. 
Address, 

S. E. SHUTES, Publisher, 

41 Park Row, N. Y. City, or Newburgh, F. Y. 



American Scenery. 



fail Ii©)i4iai© 

FOB HOME DECOBATIOJf. 



We are agents for the following exquisitely engraved Steel Plates, which 
have been painted and engraved by the finest American Artists, at a cost 
of over $15,000. 

The subjects are from pictures expressly painted for these engravings by 
the most celebrated American Artists, comprising the names of Ivensett, 
Smillie, Hart, Brown, Inness, De Hass, Gignouxand others. 

SUBJECTS: 
Chocorus Peak, White Mountains. 
Trenton Falls, New York. 
Upper Ausable Lake, Adirondacks. 
Sugar Loaf Mountain, Winona, Minnesota, 
Natural Bridge, Virginia. 
Dismal Swamp, North Carolina. 
Wharf and Shipping, New York City. 
Near Leeds, Greene County, New York. 

Junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Elvers, near Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
Indian Rock, Narragansett Bay. 
Croton Point, Hudson Kiver. 
Wabash River, near Vincennes, Indiana. 
On the Housatonic, near Stockbridge, Mass. 
Lake George, New York. 
On the Prairie. 

Hayne's Falls, Catskill Mountains. 
Lake Cham plain, from St. Albans, Vermont. 
Niagara Falls. 

On the Susquehanna, near Great Bend, N. Y. 
Upper Mississippi, near Lansing, Iowa. 
On the Pemigewasset, New Hampshire. 
Evansville, on the Ohio. 
The Meadows, Orange County, New York. 
Yosemite Valley, California. 

Printed on fine paper, 18 by 23, India Proofs only, $2 per copy, and on 
receipt of $5 we will send any three of the above list. 

Sent by mail or express, prepaid, on receipt of price. 

Catalogues containing list of over 700 fine engravings sent free on appli- 
cation. Address 

JE7. n. BELTONf rublisher, 

108 Fulton Street, N. Y. 



CHOICE! CI3:^I^■:M:Il^^<3•I chej^i^! 



A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers. 



This unique and much admired work, begun in 1867, and now a wel- 
come and trusted visitor in every intelligent family where there is a child, 
retains its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors and Artists, and gives in every 
number a profusion of 

aUK CHOICEST PICTURES, 

Executed in the best and most costly style, and designed especially for the 
young. The peculiar features that have distinguished it thus far will char- 
acterize it during the current year; and 

New and Varied Attractions 

Will be continually added. Subscriptions may begin with any number; 
and back numbers, either separately or in beautiful bound volumes, can be 
always supplied. 
Terms,— $1.50 a year in advance. 15 Cents a single number. 

^T" A. Specimen Copy will he sent for Ten Cents. 

JOHJSr L. SHOREY, 

36 Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass. 



FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. 



(RicJiZy HlzLstT cited. 

128 PAGES, - - - BOUND IN CLOTH. 
Price, 75 Cents. 



The word-system here explained and applied is the easiest, quickest, and 
best of all for teaching a child to read. His interest is at once excited by 
the admirable little stories, and the 100 apt and charming Pictures. 

je®- Sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price. Published by 

JOHN L. SHOREY, 

36 Bromfield Street, Boston, Mass. 



ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL EXPERTS TO BE THE BEST. 

. 4*«»~ ■ 

The Patented SOCKET BRIDGES Double the 
Yalue of any Set. 



These Improved Sets cost no more than equally good implements withont 
the improvements. Tlie patented Iiidexical Balis save innumerable blun- 
ders and vexatious disputes. No other loanufacturers can make or sell 
Croqueteries with these improvements. 




Th« jibove cut represent.*! the comparative conditions of the Socket 
Bridge and the ordhiary kind after a little use. Which is best for a scien- 
titic shot when you wish a rigid bridge that you can depend on for a 
carrom ? 

J8®= No set genuine unless the box is made of chestnut and bears the fol- 
lowing Trade-Biark on top of cover : 







1866 

MILTON BRADLEY & CO., Sole Manufacturers, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 




A Handsome Sixteen -page Pheet, issned "Weekly, 
and devoted entirely to the interests of the Shoot- 
ins: and Fishlnij Fraternity. E;'.ch nnraber is replete 
vith valuable infnrmaLion, pleasant Sketches cf 
Hunting, etc., all hij:bly intexestincr to the Sports- 
man. $4 a j-ear, in advance; ginsrle copies 10 cts. 
Send for specimen copv. Address 

THE ALlEmCAN SPORTSMAN, 

West Meridcn, Conn 



THE PARKER CUN 




SEND STAMP FOR CIRCULAR 



PARKER BROS 

WEST MERIDEN^CT. 



IT. HICHOLAS 

SGRIBNERS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE 

FOR GIRLS AND BOYS 



Coming at a time when the flood of sensational litera- 
ture has reached its height, the pure pages of St. 
Nicholas, show well by contrast. 

With its more solid reading it combines a spirit of 
mirth ; it sparkles with fancy, and overflows with fun. 
Its stories give instruction and delight, and its pictures 
are art studies as well as illustrations. 

The brightest intellects in the land, have hastened to 
enrich it with their treasures of story and song, and the 




"LITTLE CHILDREN are CRYING for ST. NICHOLAS." 

The '' Scientific American " Says : 

St. Nicholas is unquestionably the best children's 
journal that has yet appeared. It is elegantly printed, 
exquisitely illustrated, and as for the stories — well, 
Science had to stand aside for awhile, until we had read 
and enjoyed them ourselves. 

Price $3 a Year, 25 cents a number. For Sale by all BOOK- 
SJELLJEMS and NJE WSJOEAJLEMS. 

SCRIBNER & CO., 654 Broadway, N. Y. 



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